Superintendent’s Update

Dear Parents and Caregivers:

As we start a new year, we are focused on getting back into the rhythm of school and work, and nurturing important Relationships/Connections, a core value of the 2022-2027 District Strategic Plan.

Arthur Hatton Elementary School – January 7, 2025

Arthur Hatton Elementary was my first school visit in the New Year. It was a wonderful visit, and it started when I approached the school and noticed Grade 6 and 7 students were on a walk to start their day. Principal Charron said, “It is how we start our day. Students engage in physical activity and have fun together through the BOKS program.” BOKS is a physical activities program supported by Healthy Schools BC, and many schools integrate it into their weekly routine to get students moving, playing, and having fun to engage with each other and start the school day positively.

Next, we joined Ms. Spooner’s, Dundass’, and Fehst’s Grade 4-5 classes in the gym for their BOKS. Students were taking on the “inchworm” relays where they raced in the pose of a plank which was difficult as it strengthens their core. Through discussion, I commented that this would be a good exercise for me, and the teachers commented that they join students and they can feel their muscles hurt afterwards. Thank you for taking the time to be well physically, socially, and emotionally alongside your students.

As we continued on our visit, Ms. Pineo’s Kindergarten class was experiencing a “soft start” where some students were reading picture books and others were playing in centres. She described how since the start of the New Year, she is excited to turn calendar time into a game where students locate missing information. “It has really turned calendar time into problem solving, and students are excited to see what numbers and words are missing and to help find them.”

Ms. Hunter’s class was reviewing some word work, and Ms. McMillan’s Grade 2 classes were working on sentences and writing and completing them in a whole class exercise.

Ms. Gustafson’s Grade 3 class was practicing an auditory exercise, where they would hear a sound or sound blend and then write it on white boards. Ms. Charron said, “It has been good to use the UFLI resource to build the reading-writing connection.”

Ms. McTaggart’s Grade 1-2 students were counting on the calendar, and she shared how they also enjoy doing the “Alphabet Jive”. Mr. Aitken’s class was working on spelling following drama, and Ms. Silva’s class was searching to put their body on something of a certain color. For example, “Put your nose on something grey.” They enjoyed waiting for the next instruction and searching for multiple colors.

Ms. Bailey’s Kindergarten class was working on sign language and also recognizing the Alphabet and Secwepemctsín words. The integration of multiple literacies to communicate has been a focus within and across grades. Ms. Charron said, “I find that we can see sign language happening in many grades; it has become part of how we communicate.”

We entered Strong Start where parents and grandparents were enjoying playing and learning alongside their children. 

Grade 4-5 classrooms where each group was working on identifying shapes, exploring attributes, and developing a common language of how to articulate similarities and differences between them.

Upcoming Parent Engagement Session: Supporting Children and Youth with Autism

The next Parent Engagement Session is focused on promoting and supporting functional and executive functioning skills in the home for children and youth with autism. This virtual workshop will be held on Wednesday, February 26, 2025, from 6:00–7:30 pm. If you are interested in attending, please learn more and register in advance here.

Welcome back! I hope that you have a wonderful start to your new year.

Enjoy your weekend.

Rhonda Nixon, PhD
Superintendent